Innovative Curriculum Research
My final year research project surrounds a Unit of Learning (UoL) which carries a deeper meaning and features innovative approaches to teaching. The Unit of Learning encourages students to examine the impact engaging with altered images on social media has on their perspective of the world. Students explore this question through the production of a montage style short film in which they conduct interviews exploring the subject matter with participants of their choice.
The suggested UoL would be completed in partnership with YIFM, a Kilkenny based organisation operating since 1991 which gives young people the opportunity to work with professional grade equipment to produce films. With almost all members of society engaging with video based content on a daily basis, allowing students to familiarise themselves with the process of creating this content may illuminate new ways of understanding it and ignite new interests in film for students.
The project has evolved much since its original conception. In the below research proposal, the bones of the idea may be observed alongside the corresponding literature review.
Below is the outline and research for the innovative curriculum project I have designed in my final year of college. Research was conducted as a part of a group to ask mental health professionals and members of art collectives their opinions of how to facilitate the creation of safe spaces within the classroom. This information was used to support the rationale for this project.